East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

OROFINO–Pomeroy wrestled against host Orofino, Grangeville, Clearwater Valley, and Sacajawea here January 31.

The team's next outing will be at Pomeroy wrestling against Grangeville, Asotin, and Sacajawea.

"From past experience," commented Coach Fred Knebel, "I knew we would be up against some great wrestlers from central Idaho. As expected, we had some amazingly tough matches and I was very proud of our young wrestlers."

At the coaches meeting, a couple of teams stated that they had the best central Idaho wrestlers in the 145 lb.-150 lb. range and they wanted Pomeroy's Jess Winona, Knebel said.

"I, of course, stated I will match up my seventh grader Winona against your best eighth graders anytime," he said. "Jess lost both matches. However, the first words out of his mouth after each loss was, 'I want to wrestle him again!' That is the making of a champion!

"Not much makes a coach prouder than a statement like that," Knebel said.

James Blachly (4-0) continued his undefeated dominance on the mat with two very fast pins.

Chance Savage was down 7-11 when he turned the corner and pinned his opponent. Chance went on to win both his matches.

The Taylor twins continue to impress with their wrestling knowledge and drive to power through tough matches, Knebel said. "They both lost to extremely tough wrestlers from central Idaho," he said.

Jackson Hutchins and Arliss Bray continue to improve each week and they practice extremely hard.

Sam Bagby wrestled for the first time after a pre-season knee injury. "He pinned both his opponents in the first round," he said.

Christian Ramirez, Abram Klippenstein, and Kael Edwards both recorded their first win on the season. Corbin Nelson and Lincoln Lovgren went one win and one loss on the night, both losing to older and very experienced wrestlers. First-year wrestler Jovani Polanco was only defeated by much more experienced wrestlers. Cassie Domras continues to improve each week and she is determined to get her first win on the season.

Cassie Domras was pinned by Hess (G), was pinned by Slover (G), Dylan Taylor was pinned by Gamble (O), decisioned Burnett (O), Tyler Taylor pinned Squires (S), pinned Laney (S), was pinned by Nelson (CV), Kael Edwards decisioned Hess (G), was pinned by Hess (G), Jovani Polanco was pinned by Galloway (G), was pinned by Glasson (S), Sam Bagby pinned Weiker (O), pinned Hardin (S), Chance Savage pinned Granger (G), pinned Halloway (S), Arliss Bray pinned Simmons (S), was pinned by Wilkins (CV) Abram Klippenstein was pinned by Orford (G), pinned Powers (O), Jackson Hutchins pinned Whitesides (G), was pinned by Eich (G), Corbin Nelson pinned Flerchinger (S), was pinned by Kinzer (S), Lincoln Lovgren was pinned by Carter (CV), pinned Flerchinger (S), Jess Winona was pinned by Elliott (G), was decisioned by Carter (CV), James Blachly pinned Kennedy (O), pinned Zipse (S).

-Fred Knebel